Published on: 17 October 2017
Last Updated on: 29 October 2024
Fixed deposit is an investment option which is balanced with both: Returns and Risks. Although the investment is the most preferred option; these day’s people are seen to be disappointed with its returns. Perhaps the reason behind this disappointment can be the drop down of interest rates post-demonetization. Fixed deposit (FD) is always considered as a much favourable choice than savings since the returns earned are comparatively high. But as the rates have dropped down, the investors might have to think about parking their funds in savings rather than investing it.
Before you change your mind, it is important to consider other financial institutions too, who offer fixed deposit investments. Banks are not the only ones providing the fixed deposit service; there are highly reputed NBFCs which are providing it too. The FD offered by the NBFCs are called as company fixed deposit. Despite the repo rate cut down, NBFCs still manage to offer best-fixed deposit rates which are higher than banks. Yes! You read it right, you can earn higher returns by investing in company’s fixed deposit, plus there are many schemes and facilities you can gain from. Owing to the favourable fixed deposit conditions, you no longer need to resort to less interest offering saving options.
Here are some things that you should know about fixed deposit investments:
1. Secured Investment:
As fixed deposit does not depend upon the market conditions, the interest offered on it is fixed throughout the loan tenure. This makes the investment a safe option to allocate your funds in. Whereas, the returns offered on the high-risk investments depends upon the market conditions which makes them risky. There is no such guarantee that you might always earn higher returns as there can be times when you might face a loss. This is not the case with fixed deposit. Besides, there are some NBFCs who are awarded ICRA’s MAAA rating and CRISIL’s FAAA rating which means, they are reliable as well as safe to invest in.
2. Flexibility:
With a safe investment option, fixed deposit also provides flexibility with its tenure. You are free to choose any tenure period ranging from one year to five years. Also, you can reinvest in FD if your account matures.
3. Interest rates:
The interest rate is a very important factor to consider when it comes to investments, as it decides the returns you will be earning over the fixed deposit. Fixed deposit interest rate offered by every financial institution differ, which is why it is important to compare FD rates and then apply for it. Also, as mentioned above, investing in NBFC’s fixed deposit can benefit you with higher FD returns in comparison to banks.
4. Tax deduction:
In case, if you are investing a lump sum amount and the interest offered on your investment is above INR 10,000, then you might have to pay taxes. To escape from this tax deduction, you can split the money and invest it in different FD accounts. Also, you can apply for Section 80C to benefit from the tax deduction.
5. Senior citizen fixed deposit:
If you are a senior citizen, you can benefit here, as you can invest your pension funds and earn higher FD returns compared to normal FD accounts by parking your funds in senior citizen fixed deposit. Although post-demonetization has brought down interest rates on normal FD account, the rates offered on senior citizen fixed deposits have increased.
Though rates offered on a fixed deposit have dropped down, investing in a company fixed deposit can earn you higher returns. If you are planning for an investment, then NBFCs such as Bajaj Finserv offers highest Interest on FD Rate as well as provide different schemes and facilities that can benefit you.
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A title loan is a type of a loan where an asset is given to act as collateral, popularized because of two main reasons:
When determining your qualifications, title loans don’t put your credit rating into consideration.
Title loans get approved very quickly for loan amounts of as little as $ 100.
This makes title loans some of the most convenient and efficient options in the lending market.
The Breakdown of A Title Loan :
A car title loan is the most common type of title loan. It’s a case where you as a potential borrower, you are obliged to be in possession of car outright and sign the title over to an auto loan title company. The loan company will allow you up to 25% of the value of the car to the borrower and then retain the car’s title as collateral in case you breach the repayment agreement.
It’s worth noting that the amount you want to borrow must always be put into consideration. The value of your car or the commonly called – equity in the value will set the limit of the amount of money you can borrow. If your car has a high value, so will be your title loan.
The lenders will in most cases lend you money they are sure they can get it back easily if they were to sell your car in case you default the payment.
With car title loans, there are no prepayment penalties, so it’s okay and not costly if you want to pay off your loan earlier.
Be Careful of Rolling Over :
A lot of title loan cases end up in rolling over. This means that you decide to prolong your payment by another 30-day loan. The disadvantage of rolling over with your title loan is that it gets very expensive and every time you extend the loan you are penalized for new loan fees. There are cases where the process of extending a car title loan is controlled by the law.
Unlike the interest rates that you usually pay on credit cards, title loans have a very high cost despite the fact that there are laws that limit the interest rates. You, therefore, end up paying back more money than you actually borrowed.
The Risk of Losing Your Car :
Getting a car title loan sounds so good but there is always a big problem which is the risk of losing your car to your lenders. This happens in the event that you can’t pay back your lender. Your car will then become their possession and they sell it to get back their share of the money that they lend to you.
Car title loans are different from bank loans, typically they have easier requirements. Here are the key dos and don’ts you need to know to apply for a title loan.
What You Do Need To Apply FOR A Title Loan :
You will need the following before going for a title loan:
Vehicle title with your name
Valid driver’s license
Proof income
Proof of residence
These requirements will be qualified in the following manner:
Vehicle Title with Your Name :
Since the title loan is being given to you, the title of your car must be in your name, and lien-free or something close to lien free. What’s a lien-free car title? It simply means that you have total ownership of the car; it’s completely paid off with no outstanding balances or loans against it. Certifying that your vehicle is lien-free is important because the amount of money you are given on the loan is on the basis of the value of your vehicle at the time of application.
A Valid Driver’s License :
For proper verification of your identity, your valid driver’s license is required. In addition, the names on the form of identification must match the name on the title of the vehicle in order to issue the loan.
Proof of Income :
The companies that give you loans don’t necessarily depend solely on credit scores. Rather, you will be asked to show your proof of income like:
Paystubs
Bank statements
Monthly allowances such as retirement accounts
With proof of income, you basically tell the lender how much you can afford to pay back.
Proof of Residence :
Since title loans aren’t given to every region, you just have to prove your current residence and also certify that you have been an ongoing resident of your current residential area for the past two years. This same requirement is still used to verify your identity.
What You Don’t Need To Apply For the Loan :
There are so many misconceptions about what you need to apply for a title loan. Mostly, you might think that you need:
A good credit score
A bank account
A high-paying job
However, contrary to popular belief, none of these requirements are essential anywhere when applying for a title loan.
A Good Credit Score :
You don’t need a perfect credit score for you to get a title loan. A good credit score doesn’t necessarily prove your eligibility for a loan.
A Bank Account :
Are you worried that you don’t have a bank account? You don’t need to be. You will be provided with a check for your loan amount without having to give your account number from you.
A High-paying Job :
This is one of the most popular misconceptions that is among many people. There are flexible payment options for a realistic repayment schedule and the amount you’ll feel comfortable accepting.
With the right kind of documents, you can easily get a title loan. You do not need to have a high-paying job, a good credit score nor even a bank account. All you need is a clean car title and the right kind of financier willing to lend you the money.
Read Also :
Top 5 Types Of Startup Business Loans
The use of credit cards has tremendously increased in recent years. Apart from providing credit usage to its customers, a credit card is a must to have possession in the financial market due to the ever-increasing prices. Besides providing creditworthiness to your financial profile, it comes with lots of additional perks. If you already have availed a credit card, or on the verge of getting one, it is important to have an understanding of all the benefits that it offers. A credit card can be considered as the most beneficial tool only when you have the capability to pay off the dues. Now make your every purchase through Standard Chartered credit card types that would provide you with better savings. And as you get aware of the key benefits of using credit cards, just pave your way towards making the best use out of it.
Most noteworthy benefits of credit cards:
Credit card perks drive the users to make significant use of their credit cards in order to maintain a good credit score that would yield a better credit history of the cardholder thus increasing his creditworthiness in the financial market. Also, a credit card can be great assistance to your overall travelling expenses, including stay, food and luggage management. Credit card perks are the benefits obtained by its users using its key features effectively. In order to procure the credit card perks, one must be confined to its terms of usage. A credit card offers a requisite margin of perks to its users. Some of them are as below:
5 Credit Card Perks that are Noteworthy:
1. Interest-free credit:
Generally, a specific rate of interest is involved in the credit value of your card. The more the credit value, the higher, is the rate of interest. Thus the interest rates depend on the price of credit. Certain credit cards offer the benefit of availing interest-free credit on the creditworthiness of the users. This implies that the user can enjoy the use of interest-free credit without paying the extra charge in the form of interest on availing whatsoever credit amount for his use.
2. No-cost EMI:
This facility enables the user to purchase goods of his choice without the need for paying interest on EMIs. Thus credit card perk offers an undisputed advantage of availing goods on credit without incurring the extra charges on it. Usually, the rate of interest depends upon the price of the goods procured on credit. Thus credit card perks work well towards removing such inconveniences on the purchase based on price, by enabling the users to buy goods irrespective of the price on no-cost EMI.
3. Reward programs:
One of the significant perks of credit cards is the application of reward programs on credit cards. Rewards on credit cards work wonder on building credit scores. Reward programs mainly consist of the facility of cashback and other perks as per the type of credit card. It provides its users with the opportunity to earn in thousands through reward points or to spend lavishly using those points. Amongst which the benefit of cashback on credit card is the key highlight of the reward program, which provides an opportunity to make double purchases of the same amount using a single reward point.
4. Fraud protection:
Credit card perks act as a shield against various fraudulent incidents that may come across the way of its holders by providing insurance coverage for the loss or damage of the product purchased by using it. Hence providing a carefree usage of the commodity, the credit card perks work efficiently in covering the various losses incurred by the cardholder on the purchases made by using it. This ensures the user a risk-free usage of the credit card by eliminating the fear of risks that may arise in the near future.
5. Warranty extension:
The credit card provides the benefit of extending the warranty period of the respective purchases made through it. You can easily extend your warranty period of the goods by making a purchase by the credit card. This may render a free service of your purchases for an extended period in addition to the existing one, thereby eradicating the future expense that may incur on the grounds of malfunctions. So users are free to make purchases enjoying an extended warranty period, thus removing the extra cost involved in repairing or service of the purchased goods.
The above-mentioned credit card perks are most suitable for frequent users and those who maintain a regular balance. In order to avail of the above benefits using the credit card, the cardholder must make sure to make regular payments of his monthly dues effectively. Otherwise, it would negatively affect your credit scores. You can make effective use of the credit cards by renewing the credit rewards based on your purchasing scale. The more you use your credit scores, the better the facility it would provide you with.
Read Also:
7 TIPS TO REDUCE CREDIT CARD BILLS
Credit Card Fraud The Holiday Season: Things To Consider For Next Year
Revolving Debt Vs Installment Debt – Which Impacts Your Credit Score The Most?
Before entering into marriage, you and your soon-to-be lifetime partner should talk about finances. Both of you might have different ways of handling your finances.
Settling down and starting to grow a family is one big responsibility that both of you will share. One may be frugal and minimalist, while the other is the opposite. Your differences, if not taken seriously, like by discussing it, might cause a collision.
Just let me share one fact about what happens in marriage nowadays. Few are getting married. Many are getting divorced. And according to Forbes, one of the factors why couples end up divorcing is money issues. Unsettled issues!
It's not the main factor, but somehow, it contributes tension to the couple. And we don't want to let that happen to you. This article aims to help you understand what a couple should do in creating your budget.
Take this opportunity to know what couples should do in handling money. These best-picked tips will guide you in building your budget.
Vital Tips For an Effective Budget-
Communicate at all times:
Discussing financial matters is vital, and it's the only way to know each other, especially in handling money.
Let's face reality. Not all couples have the same spending habits. One might want to save more and choose to live a simple lifestyle, while the other might want the opposite.
As you can see, managing your finances contrasts with the other. With that scenario, both of you might encounter some financial struggles while building your budget goals.
Through proper communication, you can set things up with an open mind. But both should adjust each other's expectations. This way, you can organize everything and meet one's goal.
Remember, this isn't a simple game to win. It's a real-life game that both should work together as one.
Categorize your budget:
If both of you feel like your goals are somewhat overwhelming, you have to remember that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
By simply categorizing your budget, you can have a more exact path to follow. You can see which to prioritize and which is more necessary. Do it one step at a time.
As you continue to discuss things, one should jot down everything. This way, you won't miss or forget some information or idea.
Identify your household needs:
Both should identify your household needs. This way, it will become easy for you to categorize them. List them down. Afterward, you order them to either mandatory expenses, significant, nice, or unnecessary.
Don't forget to include your existing debts on your list. May it be a mortgage loan, credit card, other outstanding debts, car loans, utility bills, food, and other different personal needs.
After listing things, you can now identify which category it is.
Mandatory expenses and significant ones should be your top priority. The rest will be considered as your minor focus.
You might be wondering what mandatory expense is? In layman's terms, mandatory means something that obliges you to perform. That means "mandatory expenses" are something that obliges you to settle.
For instance, debts that should be settled fall to mandatory expenses. Whatever type of debt it is, it will be considered mandatory spending.
Settling debts might be overwhelming. Why not consider paying your debts in full using a personal loan from a licensed money lender Tampines? It's a form of debt consolidation. It merely means combining your debts into one.
For example, you consolidate all your credit card debts and pay them using a loan from moneylender woodlands. You settle your debts in total, with lower interest and one monthly payment.
If there's something you are paying because you need it, you can categorize it as a pressing need.
Important or significant things refer to your basic needs. Foods, clothing, water, electricity, internet connection, and the likes are your basic needs.
Nice things give you fun and convenience, but not that important. For example, car accessories, upgrading or changing phones, buying too many dresses. Everything's look nice but not necessary.
Unnecessary things are simply those that don't have value. For instance, you purchased an online subscription that you seldom use for leisure. It's a total expense that you don't benefit anything. And it only cost you money.
Spending money to buy trendy things, eat at a restaurant, and travel around is not bad. As long as you know to discipline yourself. You can never deprive your happiness in reaching your goals.
But if you want to achieve your financial goals faster successfully, you have to be patient. Always remember that it takes strong commitment and determination to do it. Saving more, spending less will help you a lot.
Set money goals:
Setting goals means taking in-depth planning. It is about creating a path towards your goal, guiding you on how to achieve it.
Achieving your money goals is not impossible as long as you make a well-thought plan. To make it happen, both of you must cooperate with your plan.
Visualize what both of you want to have. Both should be specific.
Let’s say you are dreaming of buying a condominium property. In what location? How big should it be? Would it be a two-bedroom or three-bedroom unit? Such questions show what particular property you dream of having.
Aside from being specific, you evaluate whether it is realistic and achievable in your current state. Your partner dreams of having a sports car. The question is, is it realistic to get such a thing based on both financial capabilities?
The next thing you must consider is the time-frame. Home property is expensive and needs a considerable amount of money. If you aim to buy one, you have to set a timeline.
Just say, after two to three years, you will buy your dream property for your family. Within those three years, both will have to work hard and commit to saving a part of your income until you reach your specific goal.
The mentioned tips above will be the most thoughtful way to start building your budget goals. Otherwise, the case can probably push you to sacrifice valuable things. You and your partner should evaluate your money flow before you decide.
Determine how much you earn:
The next thing you do after setting your goals is to determine how much earning you have. There are types of income that we make - gross and net income. Among these two, net income is what you are going to use in creating a budget.
Gross income is a sum of money before your taxes and deductions. In contrast, the net income is your take-home pay.
The question is, are both of you work as a salaried employee or not? If you are an employee paid hourly, your income would likely be stable.
But if you work seasonally, or you are self-employed, that means you earn irregularly. That said, you have to track your income section monthly.
Track your spendings by having a meeting:
You both need to track your spendings. You can do it daily, weekly, or monthly. But for couples who have just begun to create their budget goals, it is recommended to do it every day. You can eventually do it weekly or monthly.
You talk about where your progress is towards your budget goals. You check every spending you take on different categories and manage what's left.
You can do less work by using some financial apps exclusively designed for couples to organize and track finances. It gives convenience and, at the same time, can make your meetings shorter and more effective.
The Grand Debate – Joint or Single Account
Any newlywed couple's financial choice is whether to open joint or separate accounts.
Now, many might love the idea of sharing finances such closely, or while others might run away from the idea.
There is not wrong or right about having a savings account. It is all about advantages and disadvantages based on your relationship with money and each other.
Some like more autonomy when it comes to financial reasons!
However, you should decide upon assessing both the pros and cons of the matter!
When it Comes to Joint Accounts
Many couples opt to open joint accounts as a way to keep their finances simple. With a joint account, each partner puts their income into one account, making it easier to manage household bills and expenses and work together to reach their financial goals.
It also promotes transparency and trust, and as everything is out in the open, you and your partner will both be on the same page when it comes to spending money.
Joint accounts can also make it easier to achieve long-term savings goals such as buying a house or traveling.
However, you will need to communicate well because if you have different spending priorities, this could cause tension.
In terms of Separate Accounts
On the other hand, keeping separate accounts can help partners feel more in control of their finances. This is especially true if one tends to spend more on hobbies or interests.
With separate accounts, both individuals agree on how much money they will contribute toward shared expenses (like rent, groceries, and utilities) and what they’ll keep for themselves.
While this approach allows for independence, it requires open lines of communication and clearly defined expectations.
Are you ready to begin your financial journey?
Creating a budget has to be undergone through in-depth planning. Start-ups aren’t easy.
Both of you might face financial challenges along the way. However, with concrete planning, if both are committed to achieving the goals, nothing is impossible. Follow what you should do, focus, and get it one by one.
You should also consider discussing bank accounts, and other matters early on.
In the end, some couples find that sharing a hybrid approach works best for them.
This is where they have one joint account for shared expenses and then each maintain a separate individual account for their own personal spending.
This way both individuals get some level of independence with their finances while still maintaining financial transparency.
The most important part here is to communicate on a regular basis and adjust along the way to ensure both individuals’ needs are being met and goals are being achieved.
Read Also:
Make Your Savings Goals Come True with Gold
Eight Essential Tips For Getting Out Of Debt
The Importance Of Saving: The Bedrock of a Bright Financial Future
